As we experience this unique time of year leading into Christmas, I reflect on what peace really means. Specifically, what piece each of us has towards bringing and experiencing this peace within ourselves and for humanity. I believe that peace begins with each one of us. It’s pretty hard to bring our piece of peace to the world if we don’t first experience it within ourselves.

I believe this starts with acknowledging that taking ownership of ourselves, our choices, and our actions is on us, not someone else. Another word for this may be responsibility. It’s amazing how even this realization can start to shift the way we look at things. Of course it’s a lot easier to blame everything else. I’m inviting you to look in the mirror. It begins with you. It begins with me. It begins with each person owning up to his/her/their piece.

I put together my A to E list to help move you to more peace:

Acceptance: You do have a part in your own peace. There will also always be things that are out of our control. 

Boundaries: You can put boundaries around things that are getting in the way of your peace. It is not someone else’s responsibility to set them. It’s yours. Decide what your boundary is going to be. Identify the boundary and set it. Communicate the boundary when necessary. Hold on to that boundary.  How others respond to that boundary is about what’s going on for them—not you. We live in a world that struggles with boundaries. Shift the paradigm. Let’s making boundary setting a part of our own self-care.

Choice: You have choice. You can choose whether or not to watch the news or how much of it you want to watch (boundary setting). You can choose whether or not to comment on a social media post or even go on social media at all. You can choose how much time to spend with someone. You can choose whether to engage in certain conversations. You have choice!

Doing The Work: Finding peace within can sometimes take a little work. Things like taking time for prayer, meditation, grounding exercises, drinking water, fueling the body with good nutrition, journaling, reflective time, positive self-talk, connection, self-compassion, kindness and self-love are so important to a state of peace. Notice where the things you’ve been doing to create peace within are working. Notice where adding in some other things may be useful.

E: Embrace peace. Embody peace. Enroll others into peace. Peace can flow in, with, and through you. Remember the song, Peace is Flowing Like a River? What if you became that river of peace and it simply flowed through you. It IS possible. Think of people you have met where you simply experienced peace in their presence. It’s because they are grounded in peace and it flows from within. It may take some work, but you can get to this point too. Imagine a world where peace was flowing from everyone.

Friends, I believe that now more than every, we need to own our piece of peace. Not only to heal ourselves, but also heal humanity. I know it can seem impossible, but it starts with one person at a time. Are you ready to own your peace? I invite you to start today.